Port Hueneme council considers lower fees for Little League

In its first meeting since appointing an interim city manager, the Port Hueneme City Council pulled items from the consent calendar for discussion rather than just approving the slate of items.

John R. Velthoen did not address the council or the audience at the meeting, but the council indicated it is taking a new direction by reviewing agenda items, discussing them and making changes to the proposals brought to it.

Velthoen was appointed interim city manager after City Manager Dave Norman resigned Oct. 8 at the council's request.

The only matter scheduled for discussion was a review of parking at the Hueneme Bay development, a matter that was coming back to the council. Other items, including the authorization of $90,288 for the purchase of radio equipment by police and the appropriation of $9,277 for a wastewater lift station project, were approved without discussion.

The first item pulled from the consent calendar was a proposal to reduce the fees the Port Hueneme Little League pays to use the baseball facilities at Bubbling Springs Park to $500 per year from $2,635 per year over five years.

Port Hueneme resident Sheryl Malone questioned the length of the agreement, saying that the number of youths registered in the Little League had increased steadily until 2012, when enrollment dropped 63 percent from 2011.

Councilman Ellis Green asked why such a dramatic fee decrease should be granted in light of the tight city budget.

Gabriel Diaz, president of the Port Hueneme Little League, blamed the steep decline in the number of players on a poor economy and said Little Leagues around the county also are experiencing downturns.

"The economy is in dire straits. We did increase for a few years, but last year was really bad. South Oxnard only has 60 kids. This is a trend for Little Leagues across the country," Diaz told the council.

Paying the league's expenses is harder, Diaz said. The red clay required on the fields is one of the biggest expenses, costing $3,000 a year. The league also must pay for electricity, two septic tanks, large trash bins and subsidies for 26 "hardship" players, he said.

Public Works Director Andres Santamaria said he would explore the possibility of developing a city contract under which Port Hueneme would help with the purchase of red clay.

Green proposed changing the terms of the agreement to require the Little League to pay $1,000 each year for 2012 and 2013. Green said taxpayers shouldn't have to bear such a burden during such hard times and that the city will help the league promote itself. The council unanimously approved the changed agreement.

The council also balked at appointing John Klopfstein to the Ventura County Transportation Advisory Committee/Social Service Transportation Advisory Council. He would succeed former Mayor Anthony Volante, who is stepping down from the transportation council.

Councilman Jonathan Sharkey, saying the council has been attacked for its "opacity," questioned Carmen Nichols, assistant to the city manager who also handles Port Hueneme's human resources, about the need to have the appointment made without advertising for it. Sharkey said he wanted to ensure that anyone else who is interested can apply for the position.

"I'm sure Mr. Klopfstein would make an excellent representative," Sharkey said. "This is not about the candidate; it's about the process." The council unanimously approved advertising the position, with Councilman Norman Griffaw abstaining because Klopfstein is his father-in-law.

The council also unanimously and without discussion approved promoting Deputy City Clerk Michelle Ascencion to city clerk at a cost of $3,700 in wages and benefits for the remainder of the fiscal year. Ascencion has been acting city clerk since 2008.